Brazilian Horticulture, Opportunities for Business and Investments
The Netherlands and Brazil have longstanding good relations when it comes to agriculture and agri-business. We are both among the largest producers and exporters of agricultural products in the world and our common goal is to increase sustainable productivity to continue feeding the world with healthy, nutritious and safe food. Sustainable production while respecting people, nature, our environment and the carrying capacity of our planet is extremely important.
The Netherlands embassy in Brazil has identified the fruit and vegetable value chains in Brazil as sectors with a large potential for innovation, bilateral cooperation, trade and investment. This includes all stages of the chain; from production, transport, processing and cold storage to local marketing, import and export. Improving agro-logistics is one of the focus topics of the program because by optimizing the logistics of fruit and vegetables, (food) losses, which in Brazil now amount to more than 50%, can be greatly reduced and the quality of the products improved.
Also in Brazil the fruit and vegetable sector is on the priority list which is why at the end of 2019 the Brazilian ministry of agriculture (MAPA) launched a national program aimed at the modernization of all distribution centers of fruit and vegetables; with the objective to improve the infrastructure and management, increase effectivity and quality, and reduce food loss. At these so-called CEASA’s of which 70 are distributed across the country, around 70% of the total fruit and vegetable production is marketed.
In February of 2020, just before start of the Covid 19 pandemic the Netherlands Embassy organized a fruit and vegetable/logistics mission to the Netherlands to demonstrate the Dutch system. Brazilian government including MAPA and CONAB, CEASAs, and fruit and vegetable traders participated in this successful and learning mission.
This mapping study is the next stage in the program and gives an overview of the vegetable sector in Brazil. It is primarily intended for (Dutch) companies working in this sector with an ambition to improve or start business in, or with Brazil in this area. The study provides invaluable market information and opportunities along the whole vegetable value chain.
Although the report is already quite comprehensive, in discussions with Ibrahort, which is the association representing the entire vegetable sector in Brazil, it has become clear that they can deliver even more, detailed and tailor made information for interested companies. The vegetable sector is receptive for and welcomes innovation, technology, partnerships and business.
This report is the second in a trilogy. The first report covers the fruit value chain and the third provides insights, good practices and possible circularity in both the fruit and the vegetable value chains.